Head Start has been good for the economy - why is Trump ending it?
But unfortunately, Donald Trump has frozen Head Start
funds and closed Head Start offices across the country. Now a leaked
draft of the president’s budget proposes eliminating Head Start
altogether.
This would be a catastrophic decision for children,
families, Head Start workers, and the entire economy. Since its founding 60
years ago, Head Start has provided early education and comprehensive services
for whole families and employed millions of teachers and staff.
The program was founded as part of the War on Poverty and has made life better for countless children and expecting parents from low-income families suffering from poverty and discrimination.
Head Start “was a cornerstone for my education, especially
since I didn’t speak English when I started school,” one former participant
told us. “My bilingual teachers highlighted the significance of education.
Their examples left a lasting impact, motivating me to continue my studies.”
Without Head Start, the nearly 800,000
children and pregnant people enrolled in the program would lose access
to stable, high-quality child care and early education. Another 250,000
educators and providers would lose their jobs and ability to provide
for their families.
These numbers are even more significant in light of the
country’s child care crisis, with families of every socioeconomic status struggling
to find and afford reliable, accessible care. Eliminating Head Start
will only worsen the crisis, especially among communities of color, families
with low incomes, rural communities, and other struggling populations.
But Head Start does more than provide child care and early
education. Without this program, families will also lose access to valuable
services like prenatal education, help finding affordable housing and paying
rent, job training, and more.
With Head Start, “I would not have been able to attend
college due to the high cost of child care,” one single mother said. “Head
Start enabled me to further my education and career opportunities while my
children were benefiting from the structure and socialization that the program
provides.”
Eliminating Head Start will have effects far beyond the
families it serves.
For many Head Start families, losing these services may mean
having to leave school or the workforce, creating economic instability for
their entire community. With the U.S. already reeling from nationwide federal
layoffs and tariff threats, the aftershocks of laying off Head Start workers
and forcing parents to leave the workforce will only lead to greater economic
destabilization.
Head Start is essential to this country and the well-being
of children and families. We must act now to prevent this vital program from
going away.
My organization, CLASP, and many others are fighting back
every day. For example, the ACLU, parent advocates, and Head Start provider
groups filed
a complaint just recently to stop the Trump administration from
dismantling Head Start.
Families can’t afford to lose access to care for their
children. Providers can’t afford to lose their valuable jobs. And the economy
can’t afford to have less stability and care for children.
Let’s protect Head Start.
Stephanie Schmit is the director of child care and early education at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.
